Barn floor cleaner



Feb. 20, 1962 D. J KRAH'N BARN FLOOR CLEANER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June10. 1959 DONALD J. KRAHN Bngzbfiui-mw AT ORA/EV Feb. 20, 1962 D. J.KRAHN 3,021,819

BARN FLOOR CLEANER Filed June 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 37 345 FIG. 3 dw 7' 76 76 62 22 kg 2/ 33 A I 29 "1 m 2 m" I 2 /8 "ll 3/ 2g 27 I ll 1 Q39 I 0 II I o V INVENTOR- DONALD J. KRAHN B -Maw Arrow/EV" 3,021,819BARN FLOOR CLEANER Donald J. Krahn, Box 675, Rte. 1, Salem, Wis. FiledJune 10, 1959, Ser. No; 819,338 Claims. (Cl. 11922) Thisinventionrelates to improvements in barn cleaners, and, moreparticularly, it relates to a barn cleaner wherein cattle can be looselyhoused within the barn and the cleaner will remove the defecation of thecattle, as needed.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a barn cleaner whichwill permit cattle to be loosely housed in the barn, and yet thedefecation, such as the manure and urine of the cattle, will be removedfrom the barn floor, so that the barn is in a clean condition at alltimes during occupancy by the cattle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanical cleaner ormanure disposer, which is automatic in operation, and which willconveniently and economically keep the floor clean, and which can beoperated automatically at frequencies which will clean the barnfiooralmost as fast as the cattle excrete onto the floor.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a barn cleanerwhich can operate on the barn floor while the cattle are loosely housedin the barn and they will not be harmed, but will only be mildlyinconvenienced during the time that the cleaner is in actual operationover the barn floor.

A further object is to provide abarn cleaner which will actually flushthe floor to clean it to a highly sanitary condition.

Still a further object is to provide a barn cleaner which can be readilytimed to operate to the degree necessary to keep the floor clean so thatdepending upon the number of cattle in the barn, the frequency ofoperation of the cleaner will be set accordingly.

This particular invention has specific application to barns for theloose housing of cows, and of course by that is meant that the cows arenot shackled or restrained in any way within the housing, as they arefree to roam about the barn. The result of such modern housing is, ofcourse, healthier, more productive, and more contented cows, and modernfarming has, of course now realized these advantages, and therefore,this invention is directed at permitting loose housing, and at thesametime, providing the means for keeping the barn floor in a cleancondition without disturbing the cows. be understood that the cleaner ofthis invention operates over virtually the entire barn floor, and thusthe prob' lem of cleaning the floor even where the cattle are restrainedat stations in the barn, is overcome as the defecations and the likecreated between the barn door and the stations are also of concern inpresent day barns, as even these barns, of course must be especiallycleaned, even though stations are employed in restraining the cattle.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading thefollowing disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a barn floor with a cleanerand the necessary Water and electrical connections shown in relationthereto.

FIG. 2 is a view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1, andshowing the parts thereof enlarged.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 44- of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout theseveral views.

The drawings show a barn floor 10, which would preferably be made ofconcrete, and which is'pitched toward t will thus- 3,921,819 PatentedFeb. 20, 1932 ice the center which .has an opening 11 for receiving acohtainer 01' the like .12. FIG. 1 showsthe floor in a circular form,and this, of course, would indicate the area traversed by the mechanismof the cleaner or disposer generally designated 13. Continuing ingeneral description, the disposer or cleaner 13 rotates about the centerof the floor 10 as the inner end of the disposer 13 is rotatably mountedin a manner hereinafter 'd'esc'rib'ed'while the outer end of thedisposer 13 is shown to be provided with a drive wheel .14 and twosupport wheels 16. The manner of driving the cleaner 13 in the circularpath indicated, is provided by a conventional electric motor 17 or otherpower means, of course, could be employed, and the motor 17 drives thewheel 14 which thus propels the cleaner over the floor, as desired. Atthis point, it will also be briefly mentioned that the cleaner 13includes two shafts extending for the length of the cleaner as shown inMG. 1, and designated 18 and 19, and these shafts are rotatably mountedat their opposite ends in a manner hereinafter mentioned. Also, itshould now be understood that the shaft 19 contains a reel or pickupmechanism 21, and the shaft 18 supports a conventional auger typeconveyor 22, such that upon rotation of the two shafts, the reel 21 willdirect manure or the like into and over the trough 23 shown in FIG. 3,and from there the manure or the like will fall into the trough 24,where the auger conveyor 22 will transport it to the center con- .tainer12, and from this point, it can be further discharged through the pipingor the like 26 to the exterior of the barn. Of course, there could alsobe powered or flushing means in the conduit 26 so that the materialtherein could be positively moved to the exterior of the barn, as

desired.

Thus the mechanism 13 rotates in the direction of the tional. pulley 28receiving a belt 29. The latter extends to a pulley 31 mounted on theauger shaft 18, and thus the shaft and auger 22 are rotated as desiredto convey the manure or the like along the trough 24 to the receptacle12, as mentioned. Further, the shaft 19 has a pulley 32, which connectsto the pulley 31 through a conventional belt 33, such that the reel 21is also rotated in a forward direction to operate in the necessarymanner of picking up the manure from the floor, and passing it to thetrough 24 as mentioned. A rectangularly shaped housing 34 is providedaround the end of the mechanism 13, and a cover plate 36 attaches to thehousing 34 through the bolt openings 37, and the plate '36 thus providesthe necessary journals or bearings for the rotating shafts 18 and 19, aswell as providing support for the spindles or shafts 38 and 39 whichsupport the floor engaging wheels 16. It will also be understood that ahousing or support member 41 is attached to the frame 34 to suitablysupport the wheel 14 and its shaft27, along with the motor or primemover 17.

The inner end of the mechanism 13 is best shown in FIG. 4, where itwill'be noted that the box-like frame member 42 is rotatably mounted andsupported on the receptacle 12 by means of a fixed support member 43.The latter consists of two legs 44, which are received in sockets orsleeves 46, stationarily attached to the recepta-' cle 12 or otherwisestationarily disposed in any conventional manner. A cross bar 47 isconnected to the legs 44 and therebetween to present and support anupright centerpiece 48, which has a conventional bearing such .as needlebearing 49 disposed therearound. Thus the 3 is rotatably mounted on thefixed standard 48, and it will be understood that there will benecessary movement or play between the standard 43 and the sleeve 51 sothat the mechanism can consume the necessary position parallel totheslight pitch in the floor 10. At this time it will also be noticed thatthe frame 42 supports a cover or bearing plate 54, which attaches to theframe cover 54 thus provides the journals and rotatable bearings for theshafts 18 and 19 in the manner which the cover 36 supports the oppositeouter ends of the shafts 18 and 19.

.by bolts passing through the frame bolt holes 56. The

The drawings further show that a water pipe 57 ex- 7 tends to the socket46 on one side of the receptacle 12, and the pipe extends through thecross member 47 and is shown to terminate thereabove on the center lineof the receptacle 12 as shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the upperend of the pipe 57' connected to a swivel or rotatable pipe 58, whichthus receives the water from the pipe 57, which is, of course, in astationary position, while the pipe 58 rotates therearound in themovement of the mechanism 13 around the barn floor, as mentioned. Inmaking the connection between pipes 57 and 53, a conventional packingnut 59 is utilized to secure packing material 61 between the pipes 57and 58 to make them fluid tight at their juncture, while still, ofcourse, permitting rotation of the pipe 58, and such connection is of aconventional type.

Pipe 58 connects to a horizontal pipe 62 and a second horizontal pipe 63with the latter connection being made through a pipe section 64extending between the inner ends of pipes 62 and 63. Thus the pipes 62and 63 are in the positions shown best in FIG. 3 and extend for thelength of the mechanism 13, and it will be further understood that thesetwo pipes have outlet openings in the circumferences thereof facedtoward the floor, so that water in the pipes 62 and 63 will bedischarged onto the t of rotating over thebarn floor, the water valve 66will be opened by conventional timing mechanism, such as an electricallyoperated solenoid, and the water will flow from the pipes 62 and 63before the mechanism 13 begins its movement, as mentioned, and thisaction will permit a flushing of the floor in advance of the operationof the mechanism 13.

FIG. 1 further shows an electric control box 67, from which conventionalwires 68 extend to the socket 46 on receptacle 12, and these wires arefurther shown in FIG. 4 to extend to electrical contact arms 69 and 71,which are in brushing or rotating relation with circular, electricalcontacts 72 and 73 respectively, on the rotating pipe 53. In thismanner, which is a conventional electrical connection, the arms 69 and'71 are stationarily mounted on the stationary pipe 57, while the otherends or upper ends of the arms 69 and 71 are in brushing contact withthe rotating pipe 58. Thus leadoff wires 74 extend from the contacts 72and 73 to the motor 17 as shown in FIG. 1.

To summarize the operation described thus far, it should be nowunderstood that the mechanism 13 is operated periodically as needed forcleaning the barn floor 1d, and in this operation, the first action canbe that the water is sprayed through pipes 62 and 63 onto the barnfloor. Next, the electrical control 67 can be energized to run the motor17, which in turn rotates the drive wheel lid, and thus rotates theentire mechanism 13 about the axis of the receptacle 12, and of courseover the barn floor it). In this action, the reel 21 is rotated todirect manure and other material into the trough 24, where the auger 22is rotating to further d rect the material to the receptacle 12. In thisoperation, the cows or other cattle will be in the barn and free to movetherearound while the disposer i3 is operating. With the spray of water62 being directed in advance of the most forward projecting part of themechanism 13, the cows or cattle will simply be warned of the approachof the disposer 13 and they will either walk away from it, or step overit as it approaches them. However, in no instance is it expected thatthe mechanism will in any Way physically injure the cattle or cow oreven frighten the animal. Further, to somewhat protect the animal fromthe moving mechanism, a housing or shroud 76 extends over the top of themechanism 13 for the entire length thereof from a point adjacent thepipe 62 to a point along the frame 34 at the top thereof, as seen inFl-G. 3 and this shield is actually a continuation of the trough 24.Also, it may be preferred that a scraper 77 be attached to the front ofthe frame 34 in line widi the wheels 16 and 14 so that it clears thefloor in the advance of the pass of the wheels, to direct the materialinto the reel 21, and of course, prevent it from interfering with thelevel ride of the wheels 15 and 1.4. Also, the electric box 67 can serveas a master control with an electric line 725 extending therefrom to thewater control 66 so that the entire mechanism can be completelycontrolled in the frequency of operation by the action of the mastercontrol 6'7. Thus the electrical control can be of any conventionaltype, which is an electric time control. Also, in this construction, thetrough 23 is disposed as shown to serve the function of a scoop theforward or rotating motion of the mechanism 13.

While a specific embodiment of this invention has been shown anddescribed, it will be understood that certain changes in the embodimentcan be effected, and the invention, therefore, should be limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A barn cleaner comprising an elongated conveyor mountable on the barnfloor for revolving movement about a center point of said floor andhaving a discharge opening adjacent said center point, rotatable pickupmeans connected to said conveyor and disposed to the side thereof inadvance of said conveyor and being rotatable about an axis parallel tothe elongation axis of said conveyor for directing manure into saidconveyor, power means connected to said conveyor for operating thelatter to move the manure toward said center point, and a receptacledisposed aligned with said center point and in said floor and directlybelow said discharge opening for receiving the manure from saidconveyor.

2. A barn cleaner for use on a hoot pitched downwardly to a centerpoint, comprising a trough mobily mountable on said floor for movementthereover around said center point, rotatable means included in saidcleaner and disposed in advance of the movement of said trough and beingrotatable with respect thereto for directing manure olf said floor andinto said trough, means operable in said trough for moving the manure tosaid center point, a receptacle mountable in said floor at said centerpoint for receiving the manure, and a water conduit included in saidcleaner and being rotatably connected thereto for moving with saidtrough and having outlets therein directed at said floor in advance ofsaid trough for spraying said floor while said trough passes thereover.

3. A barn cleaner comprising a conveyor mounted on the barn floor formovement about a center point, rotatable means connected to saidconveyor and disposed to the side thereof in advance of said conveyorand being rotatable with respect thereto for directing manure into saidconveyor, an electrical motor connected to said conveyor for moving andoperating the latter to move the manure toward said center point, areceptacle mountable in said .fioor. at said center point and beingdisposed below said conveyor in direct manure-discharge communicationtherewith for receiving the manure from said conveyor, an electricaltimer connected to said motor for automatically energizing the latter atselected intervals,

Wheels rotatably connected to the end of said conveyor radially outwardfrom said center point for mobily supporting said conveyor on saidfloor, a water conduit connected to said conveyor for movement therewithand having outlets for directing water onto said floor, and a rotatablewater connector attached to said conduit and attachable to a watersupply.

4. A manure disposer for use in a barn where cattle are loosely housedand where the barn floor is pitched downwardly to a center point,comprising a receptacle having an open top and mountable in said floor,a support stationarily mounted on said receptacle and extendingthereabove, at said center point a first housing ro tatably mounted onsaid support, a trough attached to said housing for rotation therewithand extending therefrom in a direction to be disposed along said floor,a second housing attached to the outer end of said trough, a drive wheelrotatably mounted on said second housing, a conveyor mounted betweensaid housings and operable in said trough for moving manure toward saidreceptacle, an electric motor for driving said wheel and said conveyor,rotatable piclcup means disposed in advance of said trough and beingrotatable with respect thereto for directing manure thereinto, a watersupply pipe attached between said housings and having outlets directeddownwardly for spraying water onto said floor to thereby flush same, awater supply swivel connection disposed in said support for conductingwater therethrough and to said pipe while said housings and said troughare rotating over said floor, and an electrical timer mechanism forenergizing said motor and controlling said water supply at selectedintervals.

S. A manure disposer for use on a barn floor where cattle are looselyhoused, comprising a receptacle having an open top, a supportstationarily mounted on said receptacle and extending above said opentop, a first housing rotatably mounted on said support, two troughsattached to said housing for rotation therewith and extending therefromalong said floor with one in a rotationally advanced position withrespect to the other and with said one trough being open toward thedirection of rotation for a scraping action on said floor, a pick-upmeans rotatably mounted on said housing and extending parallel to saidone trough and thereabove for pushing manure ofi said floor and acrosssaid one trough and into said other trough, a second housing attached tothe outer end of said troughs, a drive wheel rotatably mounted on saidsecond housing, means operable in said other trough for moving manuretoward said receptacle, an electric motor for driving said wheel, awater supply pipe attached be tween said housings for spraying wateronto said floor to thereby flush same, and a water supply swivelconnection disposed in said support for conducting water therethroughand to said pipe while said housings and said troughs are rotating oversaid floor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,274,548 Holnagel et 'al. Aug. 6, 1918 2,383,326 Lovell Aug. 21, 19452,601,844 Lovell July 1, 1952 2,735,400 Stubbs Feb. 21, 1956

